Bigger than the American Dream

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Bigger than theAmerican Dream
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"It was the best of times, it was the worst of
times . . . A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens
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What is The American Dream? . . . a
subjective term usually implying a successful
and satisfying life. Perceptions of the
American dream are usually framed in terms of
American capitalism, its associated purported
meritocracy, and the freedoms guaranteed by the
U.S. Bill of Rights. . . . life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness. . . . success, fame and
wealth through thrift and hard work.
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What is The American Dream? . . . the
widespread aspiration of Americans to live
better than their parents did. . . . the pursuit
of material prosperity - bigger cars, fancier
homes, the fruits of prosperity for their
families.
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What is prosperity? What is to live
better? How much money is enough? What
size house is big enough? What car is cool
enough? What clothes are stylish enough? What
vacation is reward enough? What lifestyle is
lavish enough?
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11 Actually, I don't have a sense of needing
anything personally. I've learned by now to be
quite content whatever my circumstances. 12 I'm
just as happy with little as with much, with much
as with little. I've found the recipe for being
happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands
empty. 13 Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can
make it through anything in the One who makes me
who I am. Philippians 411-13
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What are we most pursuing with our lives? 31
What I'm trying to do here is to get you to
relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so
you can respond to God's giving. 32 People who
don't know God and the way he works fuss over
these things, but you know both God and how he
works. 33 Steep your life in God-reality,
God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about
missing out. You'll find all your everyday human
concerns will be met. Matthew 631-33
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24 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples.
"Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me
lead. You're not in the driver's seat I am.
Don't run from suffering embrace it. Follow me
and I'll show you how. 25 Self-help is no help at
all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to
finding yourself, your true self. 26 What kind of
deal is it to get everything you want but lose
yourself? What could you ever trade your soul
for? Matthew 1624-26
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Jacob and Esau 24 When her time to give birth
came, sure enough, there were twins in her womb.
25 The first came out reddish, as if snugly
wrapped in a hairy blanket they named him Esau
(Hairy). 26 His brother followed, his fist
clutched tight to Esau's heel they named him
Jacob (Heel). Isaac was sixty years old when they
were born. 27 The boys grew up. Esau became an
expert hunter, an outdoorsman. Jacob was a quiet
man preferring life indoors among the tents. 28
Isaac loved Esau because he loved his game, but
Rebekah loved Jacob.
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29 One day Jacob was cooking a stew. Esau came in
from the field, starved. 30 Esau said to Jacob,
"Give me some of that red stewI'm starved!"
That's how he came to be called Edom (Red). 31
Jacob said, "Make me a trade my stew for your
rights as the firstborn." 32 Esau said, "I'm
starving! What good is a birthright if I'm dead?"
33 Jacob said, "First, swear to me." And he did
it. On oath Esau traded away his rights as the
firstborn. 34 Jacob gave him bread and the stew
of lentils. He ate and drank, got up and left.
That's how Esau shrugged off his rights as the
firstborn. Genesis 2524-34
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weve bought the lie and sold our
birthrights to live the Kingdom of God and
reveal the Kingdom of God 19 "Don't hoard
treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths
and corroded by rust or worse! stolen by
burglars. 20 Stockpile treasure in heaven, where
it's safe from moth and rust and burglars. 21
It's obvious, isn't it? The place where your
treasure is, is the place you will most want to
be, and end up being. Matthew 619-21
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the kingdom were working for, living for,
sacrificing for, seems bigger and better than
Gods kingdom
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Do I really believe that the Kingdom of God is
bigger than the American Dream? Jesus said,
"Then you see how every student well-trained in
God's kingdom is like the owner of a general
store who can put his hands on anything you need,
old or new, exactly when you need it." Matthew
1352
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Gods kingdom and the American Dream are not
mutually exclusive, but when theres conflict,
to whom do you bow your knee?
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Do I really believe that the Kingdom of God is
bigger than the American Dream?
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Bigger than theAmerican Dream